Boeing 707 Manufacturing | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2026-09-19 | Boeing 707 Manufacturing | Boeing Classics
New Dimension Boeing 747 Movie | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-10-01 | Building the Boeing 747
Rollout of Boeing 747-100, September 30, 1968 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-29 | The 747 was the result of the work of some 50,000 Boeing people. Called "the Incredibles," these were the construction workers, mechanics, engineers, secretaries and administrators who made aviation history by building the 747 the largest civilian airplane in the world in less than 16 months during the late 1960s.The 747 was truly monumental in size. The massive airplane required construction of the 200 million-cubic-foot (5.6 million-cubic-meter) 747 assembly plant in Everett, Wash., the world's largest building (by volume). The fuselage of the original 747 was 225 feet (68.5 meters) long; the tail as tall as a six-story building. Pressurized, it carried a ton of air. The cargo hold had room for 3,400 pieces of baggage and could be unloaded in seven minutes.
Outer Limit Boeing 747 First Flight Tests Movie | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-28 | Boeing 747 First Flight Tests
Boeing 767 Final Assembly Line, 1981 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-26 | Boeing, one of America's three big makers of civil jet airliners, has produced a completely new twin-aisle, 211-passenger aircraft called the 767. The company is absorbing the almost simultaneous launch of the 767 and the mostly-new 757 at a joint cost of around 2 1/2 billion dollars. Boeing already has 170 firm orders from airlines and has virtually shut out the two versions of Western Europe's Airbus from the North American market.Production of the first new generation Boeing 767 was recently being completed at the company's plant in Washington State. The first step was moving the wing with mid-fuselage section attached to the final assembly bay by overhead crane. Then the rear fuselage section was carefully lowered on to special transporters and moved into place.The final assembly operation was carried out ahead of schedule in one of the world's largest buildings -- the birthplace of both 747s and 767s. Boeing, like other major U.S. manufacturers, has been facing strong opposition from Western Europe's planemaking consortium Airbus Industrie which has been more successful outside America. The Boeing company's latest disappointment has been in the Middle East. Kuwait Airways has ordered six A310 Airbuses. And others in the area, including Middle East Airlines, are expected to follow suit.The new fuel-efficient 767 airliner will roll out of the factory on August 4 -- Boeing's first completely new design to be produced since the 747 in 1968. But Boeing will soon have to start investing money into a larger version of the 767 to suit its major American customers. This will increase its seating from 211 to about 260 passengers.
Boeing Reveals 767 Twin-Aisle Twinjet Interior, 1980 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-25 | The interior of the new 767 airliner has been completed at the Boeing plant, Renton, Washington, in full-scale mockup form. One hundred, eleven feet (33.8 m) long, it is entered through a 747-type double-width door leading into the first-class area.The medium-range 767 has a twin-aisle interior such as that introduced in the 747, and the airliner will bring wide-body spaciousness to many routes which do not have such service at present.Tourist-class seats are wider than those in today's standard-body airliners. The overhead bins have greater capacity and length, so more carry-on baggage can be accommodated.The special upholstery with diagonal stripes... the sculptured ceiling...and the soft indirect lighting combine to add to the feeling of spaciousness of the sixteen and a half foot (5 m) wide cabin.The galley across the aft end of the cabin is like that in the 747SP (Special Performance) airliner. This is only a preview of the real thing, of course. The first 767 is scheduled to go into service with United Airlines in mid-1982, the first entirely new Boeing airliner since 1966.
Boeing 717 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-02 | The 717 will continue to deliver unsurpassed economy and value to our airline customers for years to come. Boeing will continue to provide the outstanding customer service support for the 717s operating at carriers worldwide
First Flight of the Boeing 717, September 2, 1998 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-09-01 | The Boeing Company's 717-200, the latest entry in the short range jet airplane class, made its inaugural flight on Wednesday (September 2), flying from Los Angeles to Yuma, Arizona.The Boeing 717 twinjet, originally launched as the MD-95, was formally revealed on Wednesday (September 2) in Los Angeles.The aircraft was designed to meet airlines' needs for an efficient aircraft to serve high frequency, short-to medium-range routes.When the aircraft's original manufacturer McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in October 1995, it was rolled into Boeing's triple 7 series.The 717, which is similar in size to the DC-9, features two advanced BMW/Rolls-Royce engines.The high-bypass ratio engine's low fuel consumption and reduced noise and emission levels are seen as the selling points for customers of the aircraft.Besides BMW and Rolls-Royce other Eurtopean and Middles Eastern suppliers of parts for the plane include Alenia of Italy for the fuselage sections; Fischer Advanced Composites of Austria for the interior; Labinal of France for the wiring; and IAI of Israel for the landing gears.In Asia, 717 suppliers include Aerospace Industrial Development Corp of Taiwan, Hyundai, Korean Air and ShinMaywa of Japan.The 717 was designed for regional flights that average 420-1,120 nautical kilometres; the plane's range is 2,100 kilometres.The first European customer for the 717 is Bavaria International Aircraft.The Munich-based company has ordered five airplanes."The marketplace for this airplane in the next twenty years is about 2,6000 hundred aircraft," according to Jerry Callaghan, Director of 717 Program Development.
First Flight of the Boeing 747SP, July 4, 1975 | Boeing Classics. Boeing Classics 2025-07-04 | Boeing's new 747SP (Special Performance) airliner today (July 4) completed the "most ambitious" flight-test program ever attempted on a Boeing jetliner first flight including a speed run of Mach .92, or 92 per cent of the speed of sound.The new red, white and blue airliner, 47 feet shorter than the 257 standard 747s already delivered to 41 airlines, lifted off the runway at Paine Field, adjacent to the 747 Division factory at Everett, Washington, at 11:17 a.m. and climbed smoothly into the clear blue sky.It was accompanied by a dominative Boeing-owned Canadair Sabre jet fighter "chase plane," which provided outside observation during the flight.Jack Waddell, Boeing Commercial Airplane Company chief test pilot, was in the captain's seat, with S.L. "Lew" Wallick, director of flight operations, serving as co-pilot. Chief Flight Engineer Kenneth R. Storms completed the crew. Waddell also was pilot of the original 747 on its initial flight in February 1969.The flight, which lasted three hours, four minutes, included preliminary evaluation of handling characteristics and airplane system. Other tests included airspeed calibration, determination of miles per pound of fuel burned, and tests of the new trailing-edge flap system which was problem-free in operation and which, according to Waddell, demonstrated good aerodynamics.In a post-flight report, Waddell said it was "by far the most ambitious first flight" of any new Boeing airplane."We went from full stall to Mach .92, which is the complete normal speed range of the new airplane," Waddell said. A full stall on an initial flight is a rare event. Waddell said he did not believe any other airplane had been tested on its first flight to determine the freedom of the airplane's structure from any flutter tendencies, as in the speed runs up to Mach .92.The new airplane is designed to have the same flying characteristics, form the pilot's point of view, as standard 747s, to make possible flight crew inter-changeability. After the flight, Waddell said, "I believe we've succeeded 100 per cent."During its initial flight program, the "Junior Jumbo" flew over the Pacific northwest near the Canadian border, reaching a maximum altitude of 30,000 feet and obtaining a top speed of about 630 miles an hour before landing at Paine Field.Later in the day, it took off again and flew an additional 52-minute flight for further engineering tests, landing at Boeing Field, Seattle. The airplane was immediately placed in the care of the ground crew, which began preparations for its third flight, scheduled for July 9.The new airplane will be joined in the flight test program by the next two 747Ps to be completed. The second "Junior Jumbo has already been rolled out of the factory and was in Pan American World Airways markings on the flight line at the Boeing 747 Division when the first 747SP took to the air. It will fly in August. The third "Junior Jumbo" will fly in October. Flight testing leading to U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certification of the new airliner for commercial use is expected to be completed before the end of the year.The 747SP is designed to serve airline routes which require a "top of the line" wide-body airliner with passenger capacity about 100 less than the standard size 747s, but greater than that of the 707.It has already been ordered by four airlines: Pan Am (5), Iran Air (3), South African Airways (3), and Syrian Arab Airlines (2).
Flight Testing the Boeing 747SP | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-07-03 | Flight Testing the Boeing 747 video.
Boeing 737 Classic Series B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-29 | The Boeing 737 Classic is the -300/-400/-500 series produced from 1984 to 2000.0:00 737-3001:45 737-4003:56 737-500
Douglas DC-3 Taxies at Daybreak & in flight, 1985 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-21 | The Douglas DC-3, which made air travel popular and airline profits possible, is universally recognized as the greatest airplane of its time. Some would argue that it is the greatest of all time. Hundreds of DC-3s are still flying and still earning their keep by carrying passengers or cargo.
McDonnell Douglas MD-80 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-20 | MD-80 operators range from the largest foreign and domestic trunk carriers to new startup airlines and charter operators.
Boeing 777-200 Assembly Line, 1996 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-18 | There are 3 million parts in a 777 provided by 500 suppliers from around the world. The 777 won the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy, awarded by the National Aeronautic Association. The award honored the 777 as the top aeronautical achievement of 1995. Boeing was recognized specifically for "designing, manufacturing and placing into service the world's most technologically advanced airline transport."
Boeing 747-400 Assembly Line, 1994 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-17 | The 747-400 rolled out in 1988. Its wingspan is 212 feet, and it has 6-foot-high "winglets" on the wing tips. The 747-400 also was produced as a freighter, as a combination freighter and passenger model, and as a special domestic version, without the winglets, for shorter-range flights.
Boeing 757-200 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-14 | The 757 is one of seven commercial models that have sold more than 1,000 airplanes, and more than 1,030 of the 757s are still in service.
Boeing 747-400 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-13 | The 747-400 is a proven performer with high reliability. It incorporates major aerodynamic improvements over earlier 747 models, including the addition of winglets to reduce drag, new avionics, and a new flight deck.0:00 747-4001:30 747-400ER3:36 747-400F
Boeing 767-200 Sunset Flight | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-08 | Sized between the single-aisle 737 Next Generation and the twin-aisle 777, the versatile 767 earned a reputation among airlines for its profitability and comfort. The 767 crosses the Atlantic from the United States to Europe more often than any other jetliner.
Boeing 767-200 in Flight, 1980s | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-07 | Sized between the single-aisle 737 Next Generation and the twin-aisle 777, the versatile 767 earned a reputation among airlines for its profitability and comfort. The 767 crosses the Atlantic from the United States to Europe more often than any other jetliner.
Boeing 767-200 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-06 | The 767 family of airplanes is the right size for the middle airplane market (200-250 seat airplanes). Lighter and more efficient than competing jetliners, the 767 family burns less fuel, for better environmental performance and improved operating economics.
Boeing 767-200 Assembly Line, 1984 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-06-05 | Sized between the single-aisle 737 Next Generation and the twin-aisle 777, the versatile 767 earned a reputation among airlines for its profitability and comfort. There are 3.1 million parts in a 767 provided by more than 800 suppliers.
KC-10 Refueling USAF Jets in 1983 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-31 | A derivative of the Boeing commercial DC-10-30 convertible freighter, the KC-10 Extender is an advanced tanker/cargo aircraft. The KC-10 is designed to provide rapid, worldwide force projection for the armed services, as well as for humanitarian or peacekeeping missions. The KC-10 Extender can refuel a wide variety of U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as aircraft from allied nations. 60 KC-10 tanker/cargo models were built for the US Air Force.
USAF E-3A Sentry B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-30 | Based on a Boeing 707-320B airframe, the E-3 airborne warning and control system (AWACS) provides surveillance, command-and-control (C2), and communications functions for tactical and defensive missions. In service since 1977, it is used by the U.S. Air Force, NATO, United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia.
A-4M Skyhawk B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-24 | Douglas built 2,960 A4D/A-4 Skyhawks between 1954 and 1979. It was the most numerous jet built by Douglas. Skyhawks were maneuverable, yet powerful, attack bombers that had great altitude and range capabilities, plus an unusual flexibility in armament capacity.
Space Shuttle Endeavour Assembly at Palmdale, CA | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-23 | On July 26, 1972, Rockwell International won a $2.6 billion contract to build the space shuttle orbiter, designated OV-101 (orbiter vehicle 101). The Space Shuttle was the world's first reusable spacecraft, and the first spacecraft in history that could carry large satellites to and from orbit. The last shuttle, the Endeavour (OV-105), made its first flight, May 7, 1992.
B-1B Lancer Flight Test Takeoff and Landing | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-17 | The B-1B Lancer is a swing-wing bomber intended for high-speed, low-altitude penetration missions. It first flew Oct. 18, 1984, could operate at 60,000 feet and had a range of more than 7,000 miles. The U.S. Air Force ordered 100 B-1Bs in 1982, and the first B-1B aircraft was delivered to the Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in October 1984, just 33 months after contract go-ahead. The last Rockwell B-1B rolled out of final assembly at Palmdale, Calif., on Jan. 20, 1988.
B-1B Lancer in Action, 1980s | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-16 | On Oct. 1, 1986, the B-1B achieved initial operational capability, and by November 1986, B-1Bs were coming off the production line at a rate of four per month. B-1Bs were based at Dyess AFB, Texas; Ellsworth AFB, S.D.; McConnell AFB, Kan.; Robins AFB, Ga.; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. In 2001, the Air Force decided to retire 33 B-1Bs and remove the aircraft from Mountain Home and the Georgia and Kansas Air National Guard bases. The remaining aircraft were consolidated at Dyess AFB and Ellsworth AFB.The B-1B holds 61 world records for speed, payload and distance. The National Aeronautic Association recognized the B-1B for completing one of the 10 most memorable record flights for 1994.The first combat use of the B-1B was in December 1998 during operation Desert Fox, where the aircraft penetrated Iraqi air defenses to destroy Republican Guard barracks. This debut mission validated the B-1B's conventional role and its ability to operate in a force package. In 1999, six B-1Bs were deployed to Royal Air Force Base Fairford, England, to support Operation Allied Force in Kosovo. Those six aircraft dropped more than 20 percent of the total tonnage in the conflict. In operation Enduring Freedom, B-1Bs dropped 40 percent of the weapons and 70 percent of the precision-guided JDAM weapons.
F/A-18 Hornet Classic Aerial B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-15 | The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole fighter designed for aircraft carrier duty and is the first tactical aircraft initially designed to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The U.S. Marines ordered it as an F-18 fighter and the Navy as an A-18 attack aircraft. It can switch roles easily and can also be adapted for photoreconnaissance and electronic countermeasure missions. The resilient F/A-18 Hornet was the first aircraft to have carbon fiber wings and the first tactical jet fighter to use digital fly-by-wire flight controls. Variants included a two-seater, an improved fighter, a reconnaissance aircraft and a night-attack fighter. Since the first Hornet entered service in 1980, McDonnell Douglas built over 1,200.
F/A-18 Hornet Classic Carrier and MCAS B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-14 | The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a multirole fighter designed for aircraft carrier duty and is the first tactical aircraft initially designed to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The U.S. Marines ordered it as an F-18 fighter and the Navy as an A-18 attack aircraft. It can switch roles easily and can also be adapted for photoreconnaissance and electronic countermeasure missions. The resilient F/A-18 Hornet was the first aircraft to have carbon fiber wings and the first tactical jet fighter to use digital fly-by-wire flight controls. Variants included a two-seater, an improved fighter, a reconnaissance aircraft and a night-attack fighter. Since the first Hornet entered service in 1980, McDonnell Douglas built over 1,200.
AH-64A Apache B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-12 | The prototype Apache made its first flight in 1975 as the YAH-64, and in 1976, Hughes received a full-scale development contract. In 1982, the Army approved the program, now known as AH-64A Apache, for production. Deliveries began from the McDonnell Douglas plant at Mesa, Ariz., in 1984- the year Hughes Helicopters became part of McDonnell Douglas.Highly maneuverable and heavily armed, the combat-proven AH-64 Apache helicopter was the backbone of the U.S. Army's all-weather, ground-support capability until the AH-64D Longbow was deployed.
Boeing Condor Test Flight | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-11 | The Condor was a revolutionary, all-bonded composite aircraft built for remote-controlled, high-altitude, long-endurance missions. The single model was developed as a technology demonstrator-and was extremely successful in merging the latest advances in aerodynamics, propulsion, composite materials, and remote controls.The Condor set several records for piston-powered aircraft during its 141-hour flight test program in 1988 and 1989. It stayed aloft for nearly two and one-half days during one test flight and reached a top altitude of 67,028 feet.The flights proved a Condor-like vehicle could be used for both military and commercial purposes. Possible military applications include reconnaissance, surveillance, and communication relay. Potential civilian uses include weather monitoring and atmospheric research.
Delta II Night Launches | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-10 | The Delta expendable launch vehicle has been launching satellites since 1960. Its first version was a modification of the Douglas Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile. Through the years Delta rockets have become larger, more advanced, and capable of carrying heavier satellites into orbit. The current Delta family of launch vehicles are highly reliable and accurate launch systems, with a full range of capability to launch satellites up to 13,100 kg to GTO.
Delta II Day Launches | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-09 | The Delta expendable launch vehicle has been launching satellites since 1960. Its first version was a modification of the Douglas Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile. Through the years Delta rockets have become larger, more advanced, and capable of carrying heavier satellites into orbit. The current Delta family of launch vehicles are highly reliable and accurate launch systems, with a full range of capability to launch satellites up to 13,100 kg to GTO.
Delta II Assembly on Launch Pad | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-08 | The Delta expendable launch vehicle has been launching satellites since 1960. Its first version was a modification of the Douglas Thor intermediate-range ballistic missile. Through the years Delta rockets have become larger, more advanced, and capable of carrying heavier satellites into orbit. The current Delta family of launch vehicles are highly reliable and accurate launch systems, with a full range of capability to launch satellites up to 13,100 kg to GTO.
AGM-86 Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-07 | An unmanned and self-guided missile, the CALCM can be used for precision strikes against fixed targets deep behind enemy lines. Boeing began modifying the U.S. Air Force's inventory of ALCMs from nuclear to the non-nuclear Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM) in 1986. The CALCM has since proven itself in combat in Operation Desert Storm and Desert Strike. Similar to the ALCM in appearance and mechanical operation.
F-15 SMTD Test Footage | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-06 | The McDonnell Douglas TF-15B technology demonstrator was a highly modified F-15B. It was fitted with movable canard wings, thrust vectoring, and thrust-reversing engine nozzles as part of the STOL and Maneuver Technology Demonstrator (SMTD) program in the 1980s.
Hughes Model 77/YAH-64A Apache Test Flights | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-05 | The AH-64 Apache, the world's premier attack helicopter, was designed to be an extremely tough survivor under combat. In 1983, Hughes Helicopters Inc., later McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, won the prestigious Collier Trophy for the design of the AH-64 Apache.The prototype Apache made its first flight in 1975 as the YAH-64, and in 1976, Hughes received a full-scale development contract. In 1982, the Army approved the program, now known as AH-64A Apache, for production. Deliveries began from the new McDonnell Douglas plant at Mesa, Ariz., in 1984 -- the year Hughes Helicopters became part of McDonnell Douglas.
Boeing Vertol YUH-61 UTTAS Delivery Ceremony 1976 | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-04 | The Boeing-Vertol 179/237/YUH-61A was a competitor in the 1970s UTTAS program to choose a utility helicopter for the US Army. It was Boeing's first design with a single main rotor. The first protoype was flown on November 29, 1974. Three aircraft were delivered to the US Army for evaluation in 1976.
Boeing YQM-94A Compass Cope | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-03 | The Boeing YQM-94A Compass Cope prototype made its first flight July 28, 1973. It was one of the largest remotely piloted airplanes ever developed. Two were built.
McDonnell Douglas YC-15 Flight Demonstration | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-02 | The McDonnell Douglas YC-15 was a wide-body transport aircraft for service on short, undeveloped airfields. Two McDonnell Douglas YC-15 prototypes were built for the Air Force's advanced medium STOL transport (AMST) program.YC-15 featured a supercritical wing and externally blown flaps to increase low speed lift. Although production was never approved, many of the technologies demonstrated on the YC-15 were incorporated into the C-17 aircraft, including the short-field landing capability.The two YC-15s completed a 600 hour flight test program in 1977. One YC-15 resumed flying in April 1997 to evaluate new technology for advanced tactical transports. After an engine failed, the aircraft was deemed too expensive to repair and was returned to storage.
Boeing YC-14 B-roll | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-05-01 | Boeing built two Model 953 prototypes for the YC-14 Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) aircraft, which introduced several significant technological breakthroughs. The Boeing YC-14 benefited from earlier "powered lift" studies, and included both externally-blown flaps as well as upper-surface blowing (USB). In the YC-14 USB system, the engine is placed over the top surface of the wing, blowing over the flaps. USB is a fairly rare concept in use and has been incorporated on just a few other aircraft.The YC-14 prototypes were returned to Boeing at the completion of flight testing in the late summer of 1977.
Rockwell HiMAT Test Flight | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-04-30 | The HiMAT program was designed to enhance transonic maneuverability of future U.S. fighter aircraft of the 20th century. The subscale aircraft bridged the gap between wind tunnel testing, simulators, ground tests and full-scale manned flight testing.Rockwell, the prime contractor, developed and built two HiMAT aircraft and delivered them to NASA, who performed the first flight in July 1979. HiMAT was launched from a B-52 at about 45,000 feet.Unmanned, HiMAT was controlled by a NASA test pilot from the ground facility. The ground cockpit contained the normal flight controls throttle, stick, rudder pedals and sensor displays. A computer converted the pilot's actions into electronic signals telemetered to the craft, where an onboard computer sent signals through the digital fly-by-wire system to the flight control surfaces. Telemetry equipment aboard HiMAT relayed thousands of bits per second of real-time flight data back to ground computers.
Boeing PCH-1 High Point Water Trials | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-04-29 | PCH-1 ("patrol craft hydrofoil") High Point was the U.S. Navy's first operational hydrofoil and the first vessel of the Boeing hydrofoil family. The 117-foot-long (35-meter-long) High Point was primarily used for research and the development of antisubmarine warfare concepts. High Point was launched on Aug. 15, 1963, and tested on Puget Sound from 1963 to 1967. Powered by twin gas-turbine engines that drove four propellers, High Point was able to attain speeds of 50 knots (57 mph/92 kph). In 1975, High Point was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard for evaluation, but without funds to replace a blown engine, it was returned to the Navy and retired.
Boeing PHM Sparviero Water Trials | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-04-28 | Italy built six Boeing-designed, Sparviero-class ships based on Tucumcari, and the Patrol Hydrofoil Missileship (PHM) program was formed. The armed hydrofoil was developed under a joint NATO program with the United States, Germany and Italy. The first PHM (Boeing Model 928) was the USS Pegasus (PHM-1) launched in November 1974. It was the first Boeing built craft, and first hydrofoil, to be a listed as a United States Ship (USS).Armed with a 76 mm rapid-fire cannon and eight AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missiles, the PHM could challenge much larger warships Because it could be self-sufficient for more than five days at a time and be refueled while under way, the PHM could serve as an escort for convoys or travel as part of an aircraft carrier's battle group, but its main mission was interdicting smugglers and drug traffickers while based in Key West, Fla. In 1993, the PHMs were decommissioned due to government cutbacks.
Boeing PHM-1 Pegasus Water Trials | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-04-27 | Italy built six Boeing-designed, Sparviero-class ships based on Tucumcari, and the Patrol Hydrofoil Missileship (PHM) program was formed. The armed hydrofoil was developed under a joint NATO program with the United States, Germany and Italy. The first PHM (Boeing Model 928) was the USS Pegasus (PHM-1) launched in November 1974. It was the first Boeing built craft, and first hydrofoil, to be a listed as a United States Ship (USS).In 1975, Pegasus made the 1,225-mile (1971-kilometer) trip from Seattle to San Diego in a record-breaking 34 hours, which included one stop for refueling. It was commissioned on July 9, 1977.Five more Pegasus class ships - Hercules, Taurus, Aquila, Aries and Gemini built at the Boeing plant in Renton, Wash., between 1981 and 1982. wereArmed with a 76 mm rapid-fire cannon and eight AGM-84 Harpoon antiship missiles, the PHM could challenge much larger warships Because it could be self-sufficient for more than five days at a time and be refueled while under way, the PHM could serve as an escort for convoys or travel as part of an aircraft carrier's battle group, but its main mission was interdicting smugglers and drug traffickers while based in Key West, Fla. In 1993, the PHMs were decommissioned due to government cutbacks.
Boeing JETFOIL (Boeing Model 929) on the Water | Boeing Classics Boeing Classics 2025-04-26 | Boeing also built commercial hydrofoils. The board gave the go ahead in 1972 for the JETFOIL program. The Boeing JETFOIL (Boeing Model 929) was designed for passenger comfort at high speeds. It gave passengers a smooth and fast ride, and its three narrow struts created a fraction of the wake that a ship of its size would normally make. It was also as quiet as a conventional auto ferry. With a stopping distance of 500 feet (152 meters) and a turning radius of just 645 feet (196 meters), it was easy to maneuver the 90-foot-long (27-meter-long) ship through congested waterways.The standard configuration of the JETFOIL accommodated 250 passengers. but design flexibility allowed variations for up to 350 seats. The JETFOILS were powered by a pair of Allison gas-turbine engines that each drove a Rocketdyne waterjet pump, which propelled the 115-ton (104.32-tonne) vessel at speeds in excess of 45 knots (51.8 mph/83.3 kph). Boeing built 24 of the JETFOILs, all at the Boeing Renton, Wash., plant, for service in Hong Kong, Japan, the English Channel, the Canary Islands, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.
